Nestled in the Redwood forests of Sonoma County, California, the Bohemian Grove serves as an exclusive retreat where approximately 2,700 men gather annually for a two-week summer encampment. While today it's known as a gathering place for some of the world's most powerful and wealthy individuals, its origins were far more humble and artistically focused. The club began in 1872 when a group of San Francisco journalists formed a small organization dedicated to appreciating the arts and enjoying each other's company away from the bustle of city life.

What started as a modest creative community transformed significantly over the years. Initially embracing the bohemian lifestyle popular among struggling artists and poets in the mid-19th century, the club gradually shifted as businessmen with financial resources joined its ranks. By 1889, the organization had purchased a 160-acre grove of redwood trees, which would eventually expand to over 27,000 acres. Notable figures like Mark Twain and Oscar Wilde became associated with the group, signaling its growing prestige and the evolution from its artistic roots to the elite institution it would become.

Key Takeaways

The Bohemian Grove began as an artistic community in 1872 before evolving into an exclusive retreat for wealthy and powerful men.
Originally founded by journalists in San Francisco, the club gradually expanded to include businessmen who could finance its growing activities.
The Grove's permanent forest location was established in 1889 with the purchase of 160 acres of redwood forest, eventually expanding to over 27,000 acres.

Bohemian Grove Retreat

Setting and Physical Description

The Bohemian Grove occupies a majestic area within Sonoma County's Redwood forests in California. Initially purchased as a 160-acre plot in 1889, the property has expanded dramatically to encompass over 27,100 acres of preserved woodland. This secluded natural retreat was originally set aside by loggers to allow the redwood trees to mature, creating the lush forest environment that exists today. The property serves as a private woodland sanctuary far removed from urban environments, offering members a natural escape among ancient redwoods.

Participants and Membership Structure

The Grove hosts approximately 2,700 members and their guests annually. Membership evolved significantly from its origins—initially formed by journalists with artistic interests in 1872, it gradually expanded to include writers, poets, painters, and eventually wealthy businessmen. Notable historical members included Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), who identified with bohemianism as early as 1867 and formally joined by 1887. The club's transformation reflects a shift from its bohemian roots of artistic communities with limited means to an increasingly exclusive organization attracting powerful and affluent individuals.

Timeframe and Gathering Practices

The primary Bohemian Grove event occurs each July, spanning a two-week period. Members exhibit flexible attendance patterns, with some participating for the entire duration while others attend for shorter periods—a weekend, several days, or just one week. Activities traditionally included sharing creative works among members and participating in "Jinx" events (named after a Scottish drinking game). The tradition of gathering in the redwoods began informally around 1878 near Camp Taylor, becoming a regular practice by 1882 before the club acquired its permanent location.

San Francisco Headquarters

The Bohemian Club maintains its urban base at 624 Taylor Street in San Francisco. This represents the latest in a series of city locations, as the organization has relocated several times since its founding. The club initially formed at the Astor Hotel in San Francisco in 1872 as a gathering place for about a dozen journalists seeking camaraderie away from the typical bar scene. By 1887, they had moved operations to 430 Pine Street. These urban headquarters served as the year-round meeting places where members could socialize, discuss arts, and plan their woodland retreats.

Public Perception

Reputation and Theories in the Public Eye

The Bohemian Grove has developed a complex reputation over time. Many view it as a gathering of disconnected elites who retreat to nature while global problems persist. Others see something more sinister—a secretive organization potentially influencing world affairs. These perspectives have fostered numerous conspiracy theories linking the Grove to concepts of a "New World Order" or global cabals.

The annual July gathering of approximately 2,700 men in the Redwood forests of Sonoma County continues to fuel speculation. Despite having a publicly known San Francisco headquarters at 624 Taylor Street, the limited access and exclusive membership contribute to ongoing public suspicion.

From Creative Roots to Elite Gathering

The contrast between the Bohemian Grove's origins and its current image is striking. Originally founded on principles of bohemianism—a lifestyle embraced by artists, poets, and creative individuals with limited financial means—the organization has transformed dramatically over decades.

In its early days, the group represented an alternative community for creatively-minded individuals who often lived transient lifestyles. This philosophy shared similarities with the 1960s-70s hippie movement, emphasizing present-focused living and artistic expression.

The transformation began after the Civil War when wealthy patrons interested in the arts joined the community. By 1872, when journalists in San Francisco established the formal club, the original bohemian ideals were already evolving. Between 1874-1887, membership expanded from 186 to 561 people, increasingly including businessmen with financial resources.

What was once a gathering place for creative professionals gradually became an exclusive retreat for powerful men. The club's initial purpose—to create a space where like-minded artistic individuals could share work, socialize, and escape city life—has been overshadowed by its current reputation as a secretive playground for the wealthy and influential.

Origins and Evolution

Bohemian Beginnings

Bohemianism emerged as a lifestyle in the mid-19th century, primarily adopted by creative individuals with limited financial resources. These artists, poets, and musicians formed communities as alternatives to traditional property ownership. The movement provided a sense of belonging for those living transient lifestyles, traveling from place to place to showcase their talents. Similar in spirit to the 1960s-70s hippie movement, bohemianism emphasized present-focused living over long-term planning, creating tight-knit artistic circles outside conventional society.

American Artistic Movement

French immigrants introduced bohemianism to the United States around the 1850s, with New York City serving as its first American incubation point. The lifestyle spread among creative communities before the Civil War disrupted its development. By 1872, the movement had reached the west coast, where approximately twelve journalists founded a gathering at San Francisco's Astor Hotel. This group established what would become a formal club for professionals connected to journalism who shared artistic interests, creating a space where members could socialize without the distractions of urban life.

Post-War Transformation

Following the Civil War, bohemianism's character shifted significantly. The movement's focus on impoverished living diminished as wealthier individuals with artistic appreciation joined the ranks. Distinguished figures like Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) identified with bohemianism as early as 1867. Between 1874 and 1887, the San Francisco club's membership expanded dramatically from 186 to 561 members. The club hosted notable literary figures including Mark Twain as a member and Oscar Wilde as a guest, demonstrating its growing prestige in artistic circles.

Evolution to Exclusivity

By 1887, the organization's bylaws defined it as "an association of gentlemen connected professionally with the arts," yet membership increasingly opened to enthusiasts without professional artistic credentials. This period marked a crucial transition as businessmen joined primarily because they possessed financial resources to fund club activities. The group began hosting regular wilderness gatherings, starting with modest meetups near Camp Taylor in 1878. These forest retreats became formalized in 1882, culminating in the 1889 purchase of a 160-acre redwood grove previously set aside by loggers. The property eventually expanded to an impressive 2,712 acres, establishing the permanent woodland retreat that continues to host annual gatherings today.

Key Personalities and Development

Esteemed Members and Visitors

The Bohemian Grove has attracted numerous prominent individuals throughout its history. Mark Twain, known formally as Samuel L. Clemens, identified himself as a Bohemian as early as 1867 and became an official member by 1887, appearing on the club's membership roster. The celebrated writer Oscar Wilde also visited the Grove, though as a guest rather than a full member.

These notable figures represented the artistic and literary elements that were central to the club's original purpose. Their participation helped establish the Grove's reputation as a gathering place for creative minds, even as its character evolved over time.

Membership Evolution and Requirements

The Bohemian Club experienced significant growth during its early years. From 1874 to 1887, membership expanded dramatically from 186 individuals to 561. This growth coincided with an important shift in the organization's composition.

Initially established in 1872 by about a dozen San Francisco journalists at the Astor Hotel, the club was founded primarily as a gathering space for those professionally connected to journalism and the arts. By 1887, the club's bylaws specifically defined it as "an association of gentlemen connected professionally with the Arts."

The membership criteria evolved to include:

Professional artists, writers, and poets
Journalists and media professionals
Enthusiasts and amateurs with no professional artistic connections
Businessmen with financial means

This last category became increasingly significant. The founders openly acknowledged that businessmen were welcomed largely because their financial resources could fund club activities. This shift marked the beginning of the Grove's transformation from a bohemian artistic retreat to the more exclusive gathering it would later become.

Women's access to the club was strictly limited during this period. They were permitted on club property only during restricted hours and exclusively as guests of male members.

Cultural and Social Activities

Art and Journalism Roots

The Bohemian Club began with deep connections to artistic and journalistic pursuits. Founded in 1872 at San Francisco's Astor Hotel, approximately a dozen journalists established the club as a place to enjoy drinks and conversation away from the city's busy atmosphere. The organization quickly expanded beyond journalism to include writers, poets, and painters. According to the club's 1887 bylaws, it existed specifically for "the association of gentlemen connected professionally with the Arts."

Notable literary figure Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) identified as a Bohemian as early as 1867 and became an official member by 1887. Oscar Wilde also appears in club records as a guest during this period. As membership grew from 186 people in 1874 to 561 by 1887, the club's character began to shift.

Businessmen gradually joined the ranks, bringing financial resources that funded club activities. The founders acknowledged this practical consideration, which helped transform what began as an artistic community into something that increasingly attracted wealthy and powerful men.

The Jinx Tradition

Club activities centered around sharing creative works and socializing, but a distinctive tradition called "The Jinx" became a defining element of the Bohemian experience. Named after a Scottish drinking game, The Jinx required participants to roll dice and either drink or perform embarrassing tasks if they scored poorly—similar to modern party games like Truth or Dare.

The Jinx evolved from a simple drinking game into a larger event that eventually inspired outdoor gatherings. In 1878, several dozen members met in what is now Camp Taylor in the Redwood forests, establishing what would become a regular practice by 1882.

These forest gatherings became so important to club identity that in 1889, members purchased a 160-acre grove of redwood trees that loggers had preserved for growth. Over time, the club expanded their property holdings significantly, eventually acquiring over 27,000 acres in total.

The outdoor setting provided a perfect escape for members who sought both community and temporary removal from urban life, reflecting the bohemian ideals that initially inspired the organization.

Founding of the Woodlands Retreat

Early Outdoor Gatherings

The origins of the woodland retreat in Sonoma County, California trace back to 1878 when a small group of about two dozen members gathered at what is now known as Camp Taylor in the redwood forests. These initial gatherings were informal affairs where participants would socialize, share creative works, and engage in various activities including a game called "the Jinx." This Scottish-inspired drinking game involved rolling dice, with poor scores resulting in either consuming alcohol or performing embarrassing tasks—similar to modern party games like Truth or Dare.

By 1882, these outdoor meetings had become a regular annual tradition, though the specific location varied from year to year. The gatherings reflected the group's bohemian roots, a lifestyle that gained popularity in the mid-19th century among artists, poets, and creative individuals. This approach to life emphasized present-focused living and community building, particularly for those without substantial financial means.

Acquisition of the Woodland Property

Tired of searching for available campgrounds each year, the group decided to purchase permanent property in 1889. They acquired a 160-acre grove of redwood trees that loggers had intentionally preserved to allow for continued growth. This strategic purchase provided a dedicated space for their annual gatherings away from urban environments.

Over time, the property holdings expanded dramatically, eventually encompassing 2,712 acres of forested land. This acquisition transformed what began as simple wilderness gatherings into a more structured retreat. The property would later host the annual two-week July encampment that now attracts 2,700 members and their guests each summer.

The permanent woodland location complemented the group's urban headquarters in San Francisco, which by this time had moved to 430 Pine Street. While the retreat maintained aspects of the original bohemian spirit, it would gradually evolve into something quite different from its artistic origins.

The Secret World of Bohemian Grove: Inside America's Most Powerful Elite Gathering